Why go

The Duomo is Milan’s symbol and one of the largest churches in Europe. Work began in 1386 and continued for almost six centuries, which explains the extraordinary detail of its white and pink Candoglia marble facade, its 135 spires and the thousands of statues that crowd every ledge. On top of the highest spire stands the gilded Madonnina, a city emblem that Milanese still look for on the skyline.

What makes a visit memorable is the rooftop. Few cathedrals let you walk across their roof, but here you can stroll between flying buttresses and pinnacles, look down on Piazza del Duomo and, on clear winter days, see the Alps on the horizon.

What to see

  • The rooftop terraces. Reached by stairs or lift, with close views of the spires and the Madonnina.
  • The nave. Five aisles divided by huge pillars, lit by some of the largest stained-glass windows in the world.
  • St Bartholomew Flayed. Marco d’Agrate’s unsettling 16th-century statue of the saint carrying his own skin.
  • The archaeological area. Remains of the early Christian baptistery beneath the square, reached from inside the cathedral.
  • The Duomo Museum. Original statues, stained glass and models of the cathedral in the Palazzo Reale, closed on Wednesdays.

Plan your visit

The cathedral, the terraces and the archaeological area are open every day from 9am to 7pm, with the last ticket sold at 5.50pm and last entry at 6pm. The museum opens from 10am to 7pm and closes on Wednesdays. Times can change for services and celebrations, so check the official calendar.

The simplest ticket is Duomo and Museum at €10. If you want the rooftop, the Duomo Pass costs €22 with the stairs or €26 with the lift, and covers the cathedral and museum too; it is valid for the day you choose and the next, with one entry to each area. A rooftop-only ticket costs €16 by stairs or €18 by lift, and the Fast Track Pass at €32 adds priority access to the terraces. Children aged 6 to 18 pay reduced prices and under 6s go free.

Note that the lift only goes to the first level of the terraces. The highest walkway and the descent are on foot, so allow for steps either way.

Getting there

Duomo station on Metro lines M1 and M3 opens directly onto the square, and many trams stop alongside. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala and the Museo del Novecento are all within a few minutes’ walk.

Tips

Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and travel light, as large bags are refused. Book the rooftop online in busy months and aim for the first hour or late afternoon. After your visit, the terrace of the Museo del Novecento and the rooftop bars around the square offer good views of the facade.

Nearby

The Palazzo Reale, beside the cathedral, hosts major art exhibitions throughout the year, and the Museo del Novecento in the Arengario has windows framing the spires. Walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to reach La Scala in five minutes, or head west along Via Dante to the Castello Sforzesco. For a quieter church, the tiny Santa Maria presso San Satiro, with Bramante’s painted false apse, is a short walk south.